EO Update, 22 April 25

Message from Executive Officer

In a significant milestone announced today, The Great Barrier Reef has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award in the United Nations highly regarded Champions of the Earth environmental awards. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Councils have collaborated with the communities of the Great Barrier Reef including Traditional Owners, marine biologists, the tourism industry and Reef Guardian Schools to nominate the World Heritage Area as the first non-human recipient of the award. Help us support this nomination by checking out the feature in our newsletter and signing your support and sharing supporter assets on your socials.

Preparations are progressing well for the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), Australia’s premier tourism trade event. This year, we will spotlight Port Douglas and the Daintree’s eco-certified experiences, emphasising travel during the shoulder season. ATE provides a critical platform for showcasing our destination to international buyers and media, and we look forward to strengthening trade relationships on your behalf to drive international visitation.

As part of our ATE efforts, famil activities are being hosted to foster stronger tourism partnerships and enhance destination awareness. A key highlight is the Chinese Inbound Famil, organised by TTNQ, which will connect us with influential Chinese inbound tour operators. We encourage members to register early to secure their participation in this important initiative.

We are also delighted to share that the very first direct flight from Fiji was welcomed last week as Fiji Airways officially begins its brand-new direct route between Cairns and Nadi. This important service, operating three times a week, enhances connectivity to North America - one of our key international markets.

Looking ahead, the TODAY Show weather cross has been rescheduled to 8 and 9 May, providing a fantastic opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of our region to a national audience.

Additionally, we are pleased to announce that TPDD has been successful in securing the Export Market Development Grant from Austrade. This funding will enable us to expand our participation in global trade shows, further strengthening our international trade marketing and partnership efforts.

As we near May, we encourage members to submit Carnivale deal activities for promotion across TPDD’s social channels. These offers play an essential role in generating excitement and increasing visitation to this vibrant regional celebration.

Finally, forward bookings for the winter months are tracking above 2023, and well above 2024 based on forward occupancy data - we anticipate a strong and positive winter season ahead.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts and dedication to showcasing the very best of Port Douglas and the Daintree. Together, we are building a thriving and sustainable future for our incredible region.

Emma